All runners post all-time personal records at Old Town Sectional meet

All five junior varsity boys, all seven varsity boys, and all six varsity girls ran all-time best marks for the Foxcroft cross country team at the Old Town Sectional meet on Saturday, September 26, in Old Town.

“It doesn’t get any better than that,” said Coach Pearsall. “The course was flat. The weather was perfect. Our training has been good. We knew we were in for a good day.”

Jen Clawson was a top-ten finisher for the fourth consecutive week for the Ponies. Her time of 20:18 was over a minute off of her previous best and the 8th best by a girl on the day. Jenna Clukey was next for the Ponies, running 22:10 for 28th. Rounding out the scorers were Alice Russo (24:25), Erika Chadbourne (24:50), Su Kim (26:25), and Virginia Macomber (26:26).

The one-two punch of Gabe Piquette and Cooper Nelson was potent for the Ponies once again, leading the boys team to a 5th place finish out of 15 teams. Piquette and Nelson both ran personal bests and under 18 minutes for the first time. Piquette was 14th in a time of 17:34, and Nelson ran 17:49 for 18th place. Liam Casey (18:55), Paul Birtwistle (19:19), and Hunter Giacomuzzi (19:42) all ran bests and rounded out the scoring for the Ponies.

“I can’t pick out a single individual performance that stood above the others,” said Coach Pearsall. “Through and through it was a great day for everyone. Our JV runners really set the tone for the meet. When the varsity runners saw the performances they put out there, it inspired them to do well. We’re a close team that feeds off of each other’s successes, and there was so much success on Saturday–it was a feeding frenzy! The way these guys support each other–it’s unbelievable.”

The Festival of Champions in Belfast on Saturday, October 3, is next for the Pony cross country team. Races begin at 11 am.

(Photo of Jen Clawson taken by Matthew Kim.)

Field hockey shuts out competition, remains undefeated

Alli Bourget led the way for the Ponies in Guilford on Wednesday, September 23, with 3 goals and an assist. The showdown with PCHS was one sided as the Ponies ran away with the victory 6-0. Also adding goals were Madison Fadley, Abbi Bourget, and Mariah Poulin. Goalie Madison Chadbourne made three saves in the shut out.

Foxcroft’s second game of the week poised more of a test as the Ponies travelled to Bangor to face John Bapst on their home turf on Friday, September 25. The Ponies did their best to prepare, practicing on the surface of the track to simulate the fast pace of a turf game, but the lack of turf experience was a concern entering the game for Coach Smith.

“A game on turf is a totally different game than a game on a grass field,” said Coach Smith. “Turf requires more finesse and skill (which we have), but it took a while for our team to adjust to the very fast surface.”

The typically high-powered pony offense remained scoreless for the first 56 minutes of the game, but the Ponies adjusted just in time. With only four minutes remaining in the game, Becca Anderson carried the ball to the top of the right-hand side of the circle and sent a ball to Emily Curtis, who made a quick maneuver around a Crusader and placed a hard shot just within the left goal post for a 1-0 Pony lead.

The lead held, and the 1-0 victory was the Ponies’ 9th win of the season. The Ponies are undefeated and will face Central on Monday and will travel to Mattanawcook on Friday.

Boys soccer wins thriller in final 30 seconds of double overtime

The Foxcroft boys soccer team fell behind 1-0 but rallied in the second half to force overtime thanks to a put back by Tobias Hogfeldt off of a poorly cleared Nate Church shot.

The first extra period was scoreless, and things did not look good for the Ponies as Presque Isle was on the attack with less than one minute left in the second period of overtime. Keeper Logan Butera, however, made one more save in a 19-save effort and tossed the ball out to Hogfeldt, who quickly went on the counterattack. Streaking down the left side, Hogfeldt touched the ball towards the center of the field, and blasted the ball into the lower corner of the net for the win with just 27 seconds left in the second extra period.

Coach Ayala attributed his team’s victory to the great play of his midfielders. “Our midfielders were able to control play and win the ball more often to help put pressure on Presque Isle’s defense,” said Coach Ayala. FA’s midfielders are Antonio Ayala, Blake Arno, Levi Stedman, Tobias Hogfeldt, Paul Birtwistle, and Philip Pleninger.

Foxcroft’s second game of the week was a showdown of undefeated teams as the 6-0 Ponies faced off against the top-ranked and 6-0-1 Ellsworth Eagles. The Eagles got on the scoreboard first to take a 1-0 lead with 20 minutes remaining in the first half, but, ten minutes later, Tobias Hogfeldt equaled the game with an unassisted strike from 20 yards out.

Ten minutes into the second half with the game tied 1-1, Hogfeldt again gave the Ponies hope and the lead off a put back on a poorly cleared Nate Church shot.

The Ponies held the lead for a short time, but the Eagles rallied for the game’s final four goals and a 5-2 victory.

“I am very proud of how the team held their composure in a hostile environment,” said Coach Ayala. “It’s always tough playing in Ellsworth. We learned a lot of what we need to do and improve on. We will see them again in the playoffs, and it will be a different story.”

The Ponies have a busy three-game week ahead. They will take on John Bapst at home on Tuesday, MDI at home on Thursday, and will travel to Presque Isle on Saturday.

Football has best offensive showing of season

Foxcroft football out gained Old Town 337 yards to 306 yards and controlled the time of possession, but ultimately lost to the Coyotes 41-19. Costly turnovers were too much to overcome for the Ponies as Old Town turned 3 Foxcroft turnovers and a blocked kick into 21 points.

Sophomore quarterback Nick Clawson led the Pony offense, passing for two touchdowns and rushing for another. Clawson was 9-20 passing for 176 yards with touchdown passes to Brandon Brock and Hyatt Smith. He also rushed for 61 yards and another score on 14 attempts.

In addition to his touchdown reception, Brandon Brock also caught 5 balls on 6 targets for 78 yards and rumbled for 47 yards on 7 rushing attempts.

Clawson and Brock led a balanced Pony offense that had four players contribute more than 70 yards. Zach Caron also added 78 yards on 21 rush attempts, and Hyatt Smith had 3 receptions for 74 yards.

“We are improving in so many ways and receiving contributions from a number of our guys,” said Coach White. “We must eliminate the big turnovers to give ourselves the opportunity to win games.”

The Ponies return to Oakes Field for their homecoming game against Hermon on Friday at 7 pm.

Girls soccer ready to make push for playoffs

The Foxcroft girls soccer team may have lost to Presque Isle and Ellsworth last week but the Ponies have their eyes set on the playoffs. With victories over MDI, Dexter, and PCHS, the girls believe they have what it takes to earn one of the 12 playoff spots in the Class B North region.

The Ponies lost at home against Presque Isle, but the 3-0 point differential was their best against the perennial powerhouse in years. Goalie Kiara Prescott made 16 saves, and Jenna Clukey and Grace Bickford each created a number of chances on offense.

The Ponies travelled to Ellsworth for their second game of the week. A Grace Francis goal, assisted by Jenna Clukey, had the score tied 1-1 at halftime, but the Eagles were able to escape with a 2-1 victory on their home field.

“Despite the two losses the team has really come together,” said Coach Wesley. “The team is looking forward to making the push for the playoffs.”

The final push for the playoffs begins Monday, September 28, at home against 6th-ranked John Bapst and on the road for a pivotal rematch against 8th-ranked Presque Isle on Saturday, October 3.

Golf team eyes PVC Championship

The Foxcroft golf team traveled to Hermon on September 21, for a three-team match with the host Hawks and Penobscot Valley High School. Hermon won, and the Ponies were just edged by PVHS 203-199. Henry Chase led all FA scorers with a 49 stroke count.

The Ponies were on the road again on Friday, September 25, for a duel match with the Golden Bucks at Bucksport Golf Club. Akira Tanabe paced the Ponies with a season low 46, but the Ponies were again just edged by the competition.

The Ponies will return to Hermon on Monday, September 28, to finish their regular season and will head north to JATO Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln for the 18-hole PVC Championship on Thursday, October 1.